Running a website or application on a Cloud VPS server offers flexibility and control but it also comes with risks. One of the biggest vulnerabilities is exposing your server’s real IP address, making it an easy target for direct attacks. That’s where Cloudflare Proxy steps in as a powerful shield. By configuring Cloudflare correctly, you can hide your server’s identity, block unauthorized access, and boost performance all while saving on bandwidth costs.
Let’s dive into how Cloudflare Proxy keeps your Cloud VPS setup secure, anonymous, and efficient.
Table of Contents
1. Hide Your Real Server IP
- When Cloudflare Proxy is activated, visitors only see Cloudflare’s IPs—not your server’s real IP.
- This keeps attackers from targeting your actual server directly with DDoS attacks or other threats.
- You remain invisible behind the Cloudflare layer, giving your server a security edge.
2. Set Secure Firewall Rules for Access
- Allow only Cloudflare IP ranges to access your server on ports
80(HTTP) and443(HTTPS). - Restrict access to port
22(SSH) only for your home IP address, so no one else can attempt unauthorized logins. - If you’re using a control panel like CyberPanel, Plesk, or cPanel, allow access only from your home IP for extra protection.
This setup ensures your server remains nearly 100% anonymous and locked down, while still being functional.
3. Block Unwanted Traffic
- Cloudflare automatically filters bots and suspicious traffic before it reaches your server.
- You can use Web Application Firewall (WAF) to add extra layers of filtering based on rules and patterns.
- Protection from brute-force login attempts, bad bots, and automated vulnerability scans is built-in.
4. CDN and Bandwidth Savings
- Cloudflare caches content globally via its Content Delivery Network (CDN).
- Frequent static assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript load from Cloudflare edge servers, reducing bandwidth use on your VPS.
- This translates to lower data transfer costs and faster load times for visitors especially from different regions.
5. Smooth Web App Management
- With Cloudflare in front, you can confidently run WordPress, Laravel, Node.js apps, and other web frameworks.
- Apps stay responsive while your server stays secure, anonymous, and well-managed.
- You retain full control while Cloudflare handles the security and performance optimization.
FAQs
No, the free plan includes proxying, CDN, firewall rules, and basic analytics. It’s great for most setups.
If you’ve configured firewall rules correctly and restricted direct access to only Cloudflare IPs and your own IP, bypassing becomes nearly impossible.
Yes! Simply configure your personal IP to access port 22 directly, and restrict ports 443 and 80 to Cloudflare IPs only.
Not at all. It usually speeds up your site due to global caching and fast routing.
Conclusion
Setting up a Cloud VPS is a smart move but securing it is even smarter. By using Cloudflare Proxy, you not only hide your server’s IP and block attacks, but also enjoy bandwidth savings and better performance. With proper configuration, only your trusted IPs get access to sensitive ports, and your website stays fast, secure, and anonymous.
Whether you’re running a small blog or a large web application, Cloudflare Proxy is a simple and powerful tool to supercharge your VPS setup.
